Photos taken by Luss and Arden Community Council showing the mess left behind by campers in the area (Image: Lennox Herald)

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Residents of Luss have overwhelmingly backed a proposed wild camping ban across Loch Lomond national park.

Members of Luss and Arden Community Council conducted a written survey of all residents in the area asking whether they supported the proposals and 104 of the 110 who responded gave their support to the plans.

Community council convener Ian MacEachern told the Lennox Herald of his concerns over wild camping.

He said: “As a resident of Luss who has to endure antisocial behaviour from groups of youths camping near my house each summer, I was delighted with the national park’s proposal on controlling camping on West Loch Lomond.

“Without a bylaw to prohibit camping, police are only able to act after antisocial behaviour occurs and they are contacted – by the time they are contacted and able to respond, which is generally late on a Friday or Saturday night, the trouble makers are likely to be so intoxicated that they cannot be moved for their own safety.

“They are generally given a warning to behave leaving the residents to either put up with the behaviour for the rest of the night or to keep contacting the police.”

Last week the Lennox Herald reported on comments made by retired chief inspector for policing on Loch Lomond, Kevin Findlater who described the proposals as “badly crafted”, “cynical” and “shamefully” framed.

Backpackers club president Cameron McNeish and Ramblers Scotland agreed that the plans should be shelved and a nationwide conversation on the subject of wild camping and irresponsible behaviour in the countryside should be held.

However, Luss Community Council has spoken out over this, saying: “Personally I find the arrogance of this statement breathtaking.

“It would appear that the views of the local community, landowners and others most affected are not even worthy of consideration.”

Meanwhile, Luss Estates has also thrown its support behind the proposed extension of the camping bylaws which was first introduced to east Loch Lomond in June 2011.

He added: “Groups opposing the national park’s proposals are simply turning a blind eye to the hugely detrimental impact of irresponsible wild camping and associated antisocial behaviour.

“Residents are fed up with the junk, rubbish and human excrement that are left behind.

“I would invite opponents of the proposal to join us on our regular litter picks when I and the estate team collect vast amounts of rubbish from Luss village and the locality.

“It is truly disgusting and heartbreaking to see how our beautiful national park is being abused.”

Scottish Land and Estates welcomed the pragmatic approach to manage camping in the area.

Policy officer (environment) Anne Gray said: “Landowners, farmers and other land managers, along with park authority staff, are in the unenviable position of having to deal with the aftermath of weekend and summertime camping problems.

“This places time and financial burdens on private landowners, managers and farmers, as well as on public services, in a way that was never the intention of Scotland’s outdoor access legislation. They are also left powerless in terms of protecting trees and other wildlife which have suffered considerable damage over the years.”